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Celeste Cortesi looks forward to doing new things after her Miss Universe journey concluded last month.

“Now, I'm really just exploring. I really looking forward to my next step,” said the Philppines bet at the 2022 Miss Universe.

Celeste had a short chat GMANetwork.com and other select entertainmet during the launch of the mobile application called Stanible held at the Clubhouse MNL in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, last February 13.

The 25-year-old Pinay beauty queen takes the first step by learning to speak more Tagalog.

She said, “I am learning learning how to speak Tagalog, so I'm very focused on that. You know, I have time to learn.

“I'm just really excited on what's to come. I just want to know more, I want to grow, I really wanna step out of my comfort zone, from what I've been doing for a long time. I'm just really excited to try new things. There's a lot of opportunity. When a door closes, there's another one that's wide open.”

Celeste admitted that just like her fans, she was also heartbroken about her early exit in the prestigious pageant. However, she was grateful that her fans stayed and supported her all throughout.

She said, “You know, everybody is heartbroken about Miss Universe, me as well. But I'm really grateful that I really had a chance to represent the Philippines and I worked very, very, hard. I felt the love, I felt the support. At the end of the day, I'm just very grateful.”

Celeste went on to further describe her pageant journey.

“Honestly, it's just very exciting. More than ever, I'm just really very, very grateful of my fans because no matter what they were always with me. Even when I didn't enter the top 16, I felt so much support, so much love.

“You have no idea, I literally cried. They're just so nice. And the fact that they can see the effort and hard work that I put into it… For me, it's the most important thing because sometimes, you know, you don't really need a crown to see. As long as you are yourself and as long as you really work very hard and keep growing and learning new things, eventually, you will find your own path. And that's what really matters.”

While she had an incredible experience, Celeste said that she has no plans of joining another pageant.

She said, “Well, honestly, as of the moment, I have no plans. I wanna focus more on my career. As I said earlier, I wanna try new things that I'm not comfortable with. I always say the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone to really grow and learn, and take the most out of it in every situation.”

“Now, I'm not really thinking of a beauty pageant. But I never close my doors.”

Meanwhile, Miss Universe Philippines has announced its official candidates for this year's pageant. And Celeste is very much excited about passing on her crown to the next Miss Universe PH representative.

“I am really looking forward to know the candidates. You know, it's time for a queen to be crowned and I'm really excited for that,” she said.

When asked what advice she would want to give to the aspiring beauty queens, Celester replied, “To enjoy the experience, to work very hard, of course, to not forget where you came from, and to be just humble in every situation.”

She further stressed, “Really, enjoy, sometimes there's so much pressure, so many opinions from different people. But for as long as you remain yourself, as long as you respect yourself first, everything will be okay.”

Then, Celeste concluded, “I always say the same thing, Miss Universe is interesting. So, whatever is going to happen, I'm very happy to see who's gonna be the first Miss Universe Philippines.”

MEANWHILE GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT CELESTE CORTESI IN THIS GALLERY: